Embassy of the United States of
America

I am replying to your letter of 12/28/95, addressed
to Ambassador Indyk. The Ambassador has asked me to
express his appreciation for the informative materials
you included with your letter, and asked me to reply
with a few comments.

My own responsibilities at the embassy include a
number of regional infrastructure efforts, including
electricity. A regional electricity grid was proposed
two years ago under the auspices of the multilateral
working group on Regional Economic Development (REDWG),
and the European Union has studied the potential for
joining the grids of Jordan, Egypt, Israel, and the
Palestinians. We are aware of a broader plan to include
Syria in such a network at the appropriate time, with
connections into the Gulf at some later point in the
future.

We are working with countries in the region and with
interested nations outside the region to provide the
infrastructure which seems to us fundamental if the
Middle East is to achieve its full potential as a
society of peaceful neighbors.

Again, thank you for your letter. May I wish you
success in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

David Mulenex
Counselor for Economic,
Scientific and Technological
Affairs